Finally triumphant but battle-scared, it's hard to believe that Obama's real race is only now beginning. Hillary and Rev. Wright certainly stripped him of all that shiny Teflon that armored him through the first half of the nomination battle, but in the long run they both did him a great favor. No one can forever remain on a pedestal and now that he has been humanized he can make mistakes without breaking a million hearts.
And with John McCain now in his sights the AIPAC speech is the perfect opportunity for Obama to lay out a compelling, transformative roadmap for the future of American foreign policy. He's spoken with AIPAC before and his speech back in March of last year hit all the right notes. He didn't shy away from the centerpiece of his difference with McCain and Bush -- tough-minded, direct engagement with Iran instead of childishly and self-defeatingly giving them the silent treatment.
What I hope he delivers tomorrow however is something more. I hope he builds on what he did when addressing Cuban-Americans last month, straight talk instead of talking points to another group that at least initially eyed him with considerable skepticism.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/trey-ellis/obamas-crucial-aipac-spee_b_104912.html